And You Thought It Would Fail: It was the cheapest and silliest movie Walt Disney had ever produced, released in the same year as such epics as Sleeping Beauty and Third Man on the Mountain. It also started life as a failed TV pilot, with a budget of less than one million dollars, but turned a larger profit than any film he produced beforehand.
Cult Classic: While certainly not the most well remembered of Disney's live action films, people today still remember it as the fun 1950s slapstick comedy it is. Even the Tim Allen remake has its followers (not nearly as many though, and for good reason).
Heartwarming Moment: The DVD includes a featurette called "The Shaggy Dog Kids" where all the teen and kid leads of the film reminisce about their time working on the film and the cast members. When the topic got to the then alive and absent Annette Funicello, they lovingly recount how professional and friendly she was.
Robert Downey Jr. plays a mad scientist who tortures animals for illegal tests. 14 years later, Downey would play an animal lover in the 2020 remake of Dolittle.
Rhea Seehorn works for the jury. Nine years later, she would actually get a job as a lawyer as Kim Welxer.
Moral Event Horizon: Dr. Kozak has been abducting animals and doing illegal lab tests, but he most definitely crosses the line when he injects company CEO Lance Strictland with a drug that will paralyze him for several months, giving Kozak enough time to usurp control of the company. His dialogue shows how absolutely remorseless he is about it. Even Larry and Gwen are horrified.
Kozak: Lance, I'm so sorry I had to do this to you, but I just couldn't let you take all the credit again. And plus, you're a pig and I hate you. I hate you in so many ways. Larry, could you hold this for a sec? (hands the syringe to Larry) Get rid of it, accomplice. Gwen: But is he... dead? Kozak: No, he's not dead. He's fully conscious, but he's unable to speak. Doctors will think it's dementia. The drug itself will wear off in a few months. But by then, I'll be CEO! And I will be fabulously, insanely, unimaginably wealthy! Larry: This wasn't part of the plan! Gwen: This is totally wrong! Kozak: Of course, I'll cut both of you on his share. (Larry and Gwen glance at each other nervously) Larry: I'm... cool with that. Gwen: It-it's fine by me. Kozak: Good. Uh, Larry, why don't you wheel him up to his office, park him at his desk. Or should I say, my desk?
